SSF Hilfield, England
The Society of Saint Francis, Hilfield Friary, Dorchester Dorset, DT2 7BE
Phone: 01300 341345
Fax: 01300 341293
E-mail: hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
Guest enquiries hilfieldguests@franciscans.org.uk
To locate Hilfield geographically, click here. To link to a map, click here.
We welcome you to Hilfield, whatever your beliefs or situation, and we hope you find here something of the welcome God gives to all people. In Christ, Welcome!
At the beginning of January 2005 all the brothers of SSF (the European Province of the First Order) held an Extra-ordinary General Chapter to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a renewal of their Franciscan vocation. Among other things the Chapter recognised was that with fewer brothers than in the past, they were now over-extended in their commitments and that there was a need to re-focus their life and ministry in this Province. As a result of this it was decided to close two of the SSF houses elsewhere in the UK, at Dundee and Cambridge and to down-size Hilfield.
This will affect both property, land and the number of brothers living here. It will mean giving up the four separate houses on the right hand side of the road, but will keep Clare House in the short term. It will also involve the disposal a large part of the grounds around the friary, both the fields and the woodlands. We are currently exploring, with others, alternative uses for the houses and for the land. Douglas House (the guest house) was closed at the end of October 2005, but it is hoped that from Easter 2006, after a major refurbishment, we shall again provide hospitality to those wishing to stay overnight, but in Leo House, and on a smaller scale than in the past.
The brothers will live and work in the complex of buildings around the courtyard which includes Giles House and Francis House, where the refectory is situated, the chapel, shop, recreation room and library. We will still be able to welcome individuals and parties of day visitors for quiet days, PCC away days, for special programmed events, as well as Third Order and Companions days. Our shop, run by volunteers, continues to flourish and remains open as usual.
If you would a 'guided tour' of the Friary, please begin here.
Every year, there is a Youth Camp in the Friary grounds: information can be obtained by clicking here.
Friary Timetable
Sunday
0730 Morning Prayer & Prayer Time
0830 Sung Eucharist, followed by Breakfast
1245 Midday Prayer
1300 Lunch
1630 Tea
1715 Sung Evening Prayer & Prayer Time
1745 Eucharistic Devotions, in Clare Chapel
1830 Supper
Monday - Community Free Day
0800 Breakfast
0845 Morning Prayer
1245 Midday Prayer
1300 Lunch
1715 Eucharist in Clare Chapel
1900 Supper
Tuesday to Saturday
0700 Morning Prayer and Prayer Time
0800 Breakfast
0830 Silence ends & work begins (Choir Practice - half an hour - Wednesday)
1015 Tea break in courtyard
1200 Midday Prayer
1215 Eucharist
1300 Lunch
1430 Work begins (Brothers' Local Chapter - Friday)
1630 Tea
1650 Brothers' Diary Meeting
1715 Evening Prayer & Prayer Time
1900 Supper
2100 Night Prayer
Silence begins
Thursday as other weekdays, except:
1300 Silent Lunch
1900 Silent Supper, then quiet evening
2015 Night Prayer
Silence begins
Solemnities & Quiet Days as weekdays, except:
0845 Morning Prayer
(0915 Eucharist on monthly quiet days)